Reinforced stocking.



A. HALE.

REINFORCED STOCKING.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 28, 1911.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914,

2 BREWER-SHEET 1.

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wi/bvwmo A. HALE. REINFORCED STOCKING. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 28, 1011.

1,106,208, Patented Aug. 4, 1914,

2 SHBETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR HALE, OF BOW'LANDSVILLE, MARYLAND.

REINFORCED STOCKING.

Toall whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR HALE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Row- 'landsville, in the county of Cecil and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reinforced Stockings; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to stockings adapted for general use, but especially adapted for use as bathing stockings for adults, and in the place of sandals or slippers for children, and has for its object to produce a foot covering of this nature that will be inexpensive and yet eflicient in protecting the feet of the wearer.

To these ends the invention consists in the novel details of construction and combination of parts more fully hereinafter disclosed and particularly pointed out in the claims. I

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which like numerals designate like parts in all the views :Figure 1 is a dia ammatic view illustrating my invention w en in use as a bathing stocking; Fig. 2 is a like view of a detached stocking aving the stiffening member partially in place; Fig. 3 is a view of a modified form of pocket for receiving the stifi'ening member, and showing the leg portion of the stocking folded down over the foot portion; Fig. 4 is a view showing the mouth of the pocket at the toe portion of the stocking instead of at the heel portion. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the construction shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the foot portion of the stocking and showing a structure similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the construction shown in Fig. 6.

1 indicates the leg portion of the stocking, and 2 the foot portion thereof, which is preferably of knitted material, and of the ordinary construction. The sole of the foot portion, however, according to my invention, is

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 28, 1911.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

Serial No. 662,884.

provided with two independent walls 3 and 4, forming a pocket 5 between them, into which pocket may be slipped a stiffening member or independent sole 6 to constitute a protection for the feet against stones or rough objects. The inner and outer walls 3 and 4 of the sole of the stocking may be knitted integral with the foot portion 2 as illustrated.

In the form illustrated in Fig. 3, the inner wall 3 terminates at or about the middle of the sole of the stocking, and the stifi'ening member 6 slips into the pocket as illustrated, and is left uncovered from the rear end of the inner wall 3 to the heel 7 of the stocking, as will be readily understood. Fig. 4 shows a structure in which the opening 11 for the stiffening member 6 is located at the toe portion of the stocking.

In the form shown in Figsl 6 and 7, the inner and outer walls of the sole portion of the stocking are the same as in the pieced-- ing figures, but the opening 10 for the stiffemng member 6 is located at the heel portion 7 of the stocking, as shown.

It is evident that the stocking may be woven, instead of knitted, if so desired; and further, that the integrally formed sole may be made heavier by closer weaving or knitting, or by the use of heavier thread. It will he further observed that in all the forms the stiffening member 6 may be 'the stocking may be readily turned wrong side outward the same as any other stocking. It ma be also worn without the stiffening mem er if desired. It will thus be seen that my stocking is especially adapted for bathing purposes, and for children for use in the place of sandals or light slippers.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details of construction and the arrangement of parts without de arting from the spirit of my invention, an therefore I do not wish to be limited to the above disclosure, except as may be required by the claim.

What I claim is As a new article of manufacture, a stocking having a body portion and an inner and removed therefrom through said month, an outer sole portion formed integrally With substantially 'as described. 10 said body portion, and providing a space In testimony whereof, I affix my signabetween them conforming with the sole of ture, in presence of two Witnesses.

5 the foot; said sole portions having a mouth ARTHUR Hi -UJE.

bet ween them affording access to said space; "Witnesses: and a sole stiffening member fitting within T. U. WITHERSPOON,

said space and adapted to be inserted and R. M. PARKER. 

